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Kahli Abdu

Produced by Kahli Abdu

April 30, 2024
Leaders Convene at GW to Discuss Economic Strategies for Africa

George Washington University recently assembled global leaders to discuss innovative economic strategies aimed at accelerating Africa’s development. The event highlighted critical themes such as sustainable development, technological innovation and international partnerships. VOA’s Kahli Abdu and Simms Lumami bring us the highlights from this gathering.
April 12, 2024
African Entrepreneurs in Baltimore

In the heart of Baltimore, African entrepreneurs navigate a vibrant yet challenging landscape, from cultural adaptation to economic resilience. Amid recent challenges like a bridge collapse, these business owners’ stories of coping and thriving shine a light on the spirit of innovation and community. VOA’s Simms Lumami and Kahli Abdu bring us closer to their experiences.
April 05, 2024
Tourists and Locals Gather in Washington DC for Cherry Blossoms

Tourists and environmental experts say Washington is experiencing the impact of climate change as the city this year has witnessed fewer blooms of cherry blossoms than usual. Nonetheless, the U.S. capital remains vibrant with visitors. For Red Carpet, VOA reporters Kahli Abdu and Simms Lumami filed this report which details more.
April 02, 2024
Celebrating Cherry Blossoms, Spring in Washington, D.C.

Springtime in Washington D.C. usually promises a spectacular display of cherry blossoms. However, this year’s scene has taken an unexpected twist with fewer blooms than anticipated - a reminder of the growing impact of climate change. Despite this, the capital remains vibrant with visitors and locals alike, all drawn by the season’s spirit and D.C.’s rich offerings. Here' VOA’s Kahli Abdu and Simms Lumami report.
February 26, 2024
Founder Melissa Walker Reflects on the Journey of nonprofit JAZZ HOUSE KiDS

In the heart of Montclair, New Jersey, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, a non-profit founded by Melissa Walker and eight-time GRAMMY-winning bassist Christian McBride, has been shaping lives through the transformative language of jazz for two decades. From 'Give an Instrument, Build a Musician' in under-resourced schools to the empowering 'CHICA POWER RESIDENCY,' JAZZ HOUSE KiDS orchestrates not just music education but life-changing experiences. In this exclusive interview with VOA’s Kahli Abdu, Melissa Walker shares the inspiring story of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and its impact on the community.
February 14, 2024
Did Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong Deserve to Win AFCON Player of the Tournament?

African football fans are divided over the awards that were given at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, especially the Player of the Tournament category that was won by William Troost-Ekong, the standout player for Nigeria’s Super Eagles who continuously scored penalty kicks throughout the tournament. The debate flared after the West African player won the award, despite Nigeria losing to Ivory Coast in the final of the tournament. Some fans say an Ivorian player should have been crowned best player. Among the candidates mentioned were Simon Adingra and Franck Kessié.
February 13, 2024
Experts Compare Sebastian Haller to Victor Osimhen, Ivory Coast Completes AFCON Redemption Story

Pundits that watched the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament say Ivorian forward Sebastien Haller outplayed his Nigerian rival, the CAF Footballer of the Year and Italy’s Serie A’s leading goal scorer, Victor Osimhen. Haller scored two goals at AFCON that helped Ivory Coast. His first led to the West African nation defeating the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in the semifinals. His second was the winning goal for his team in the final where they beat Nigeria 2-1 — included in the starting line-up was Osimhen.
February 13, 2024
Kick It AFCON: Ivory Coast Lifts AFCON Trophy, Sebastien Haller Outplays Victor Osimhen and More

On Episode Five of Kick It AFCON, hosts Mike Hove, Kahli Abdu, Sonny Young and Muqbil Yabarow are joined in studio by Sam Sasu, a Ghanaian football analyst and coach based in the Washington area. They discuss Ivory Coast's win of the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations, comparisons between Ivorian forward Sebastien Haller and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, and more.
February 10, 2024
Osimhen Legacy After AFCON, African Players Moving to European Leagues

Pundits say Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen stands to solidify his legacy as among the greatest players to represent the Super Eagles — a variable dependent on how he plays in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where the West African team will play against the host nation, the Elephants of Ivory Coast.
February 10, 2024
Ivory Coast Determined to Make AFCON Redemption Story Reality

The turn-around performance by the host of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast, has left African football fans excited for the final of the tournament where they will be playing against Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Pundits say should the Ivorians win the trophy, they will become the first host nation to win the tournament since Egypt in 2006. They will also be applauded by fans of African football for the way the team redeemed itself and turned the tide in its favor.
February 09, 2024
Football Experts, Fans Applaud South Africa for AFCON Performance

African Football fans, coaches and experts have applauded South Africa’s Bafana Bafana for their performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, despite losing to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a thrilling semifinal that was decided by a penalty shootout. Pundits say the southern African team is the perfect example of how investing in local leagues can benefit a nation and add that should Bafana Bafana maintain their form, they stand a good chance of winning their third place playoff against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
February 09, 2024
Kick It AFCON: Ivory Coast, Nigeria Set for AFCON Finals and More

On episode four of Kick It AFCON, VOA’s Mike Hove, Sonny Young, Kahli Abdu and Muqbil Yabarow are joined in studio by Sam Sasu, a Ghanaian who coaches football near Washington . They discuss the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where fans enjoyed entertaining and strategic football, especially in the game between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, a rivalry that was settled with a penalty shootout won by the West African team.
February 01, 2024
Kick It AFCON: AFCON Favorites Crash Out, Ivory Coast, South Africa in Quarterfinals and More

On the third episode of Kick It AFCON, VOA’s Mike Hove, Sonny Young, Kahli Abdu and Muqbil Yabarow are joined in studio by Samuel Sasu, a Ghanaian football analyst and coach based in Washington. The discussion was focused on the Round of 16 matches that resulted in football giants and favorites winning the trophy, Senegal’s Lions of Teranga and Morocco’s Atlas Lions, exiting the tournament. The Lions of Teranga were defeated by the host nation, the Elephants of Ivory Coast. The Atlas Lions were defeated by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
January 25, 2024
Kick It AFCON: Ivory Coast Qualifies for Round of 16, Fires Coach, Ghana Eliminated and More

On the second episode of Kick It AFCON, VOA’s Sonny Young, Mike Hove, and Kahli Abdu unpack the latest updates from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Ivory Coast. The hosts discuss Ivory Coast and Ghana firing their coaches for poor results at the tournament, the impressive performances by smaller nations that qualified for the round of 16, and more. The VOA trio are also joined by Blessing Agbomadzi, a player for Ghana’s women’s national football team, popularly known as the Black Queens. They discuss the standards of African football, her experience as a player and more.
October 26, 2023
Feeding the Dragon: Hollywood Executive Chris Fenton's Experiences and Insights on Dealing with China in the Entertainment Industry.

Chris Fenton is a veteran Hollywood executive and the author of the book "Feeding the Dragon: Inside the Trillion Dollar Dilemma Facing Hollywood, the NBA, and American Business. VOA's Kahli Abdu spoke to Fenton about China's influence in Hollywood in this exclusive interview.
October 21, 2023
African Modernism Unveiled at The Phillips Collection

A new exhibition, titled “African Modernism in America, 1947-67” recently opened at The Phillips Collection here in Washington, D.C. The exhibition celebrates over 70 artworks by 50 artists from across Africa. VOA’s Kahli Abdu attended the exhibition and has this story.
October 20, 2023
Documentary Film 'Le Choisi' Celebrates First-Generation Africans’ Success Stories.

A new documentary film, “Le Choisi” or “The Chosen One” tells the stories of first-generation Africans from Europe and America who are pursuing their dreams in various fields. VOA’s Kahli Abdu spoke to Suzanne Barry, the filmmaker behind the documentary in an exclusive interview.
October 07, 2023
Filmmakers Document the Impact of Kenya’s Universal Basic Income in Kogutu

Filmmakers Lauren de Fillipo and Sam Soko say they were inspired to produce a documentary, Free Money, that educates Kenyans on a program run by Give Directly, a nonprofit organization that is giving people in the East African nation’s rural city of Kogutu $22 every month to purchase essentials. For more, VOA’s Kahli Abdu spoke to Fillipo and Soko.
September 29, 2023
The Unanswered Questions Surrounding Nigerian Afrobeats Star Mohbad’s Death and Its Implications for the Nigerian Music Industry.

The death of Nigerian singer Mohbad has sparked outrage and grief among his fans and fellow artists. The 27-year-old Afrobeats star, who was signed to Naira Marley's Marlian Music label, died on September 12 in mysterious circumstances. VOA’s Kahli Abdu takes a look into the case and its implications for the Nigerian music industry.
September 28, 2023
Journalist: Death of Nigerian Afrobeats Star Mohbad ‘Suspicious,’ Police Investigate

Afrobeats artists and fans have taken to social media to express outrage and grief following the death of 27-year-old musician Mohbad, who mysteriously died on September 12 — triggering an investigation by authorities. Mohbad was signed to the record label of Naira Marley, a prominent British-Nigerian artist, who was forced to release a statement on Instagram after Mohbad’s fans alleged that he had something to do with his death. For insight, VOA’s Kahli Abdu spoke to David Hundeyin, a prominent Nigerian investigative journalist.

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